Do you think blissful horror is the only feeling that the most poisonous fish in the world can evoke in a person? But no. Few gourmets or thrill-seekers will miss the opportunity to try a dish made from poisonous fugu. How dangerous is this creature, and what other representatives of the aquatic world deserve the title of the most poisonous?

Fugu is the Japanese name for the pufferfish family. This creature is also known as the fourtooth, dogfish and deathfish. Fugu organs contain poison that is 275 times more toxic than cyanide. Most of the dangerous substance is in the ovaries, liver and intestines of the animal. And although one fish may contain only a few tens of milligrams of poison, this is quite enough to kill 30 people.

As a result of tetrodotoxin entering the human body, there is a high risk of death. 60% of poisonings result in death. First comes paralysis, and then stops breathing. It is interesting that in this case the person feels not only numbness, but also narcotic euphoria.

Despite the sad statistics, fugu dishes are more than popular in Japan. However, before cooking fugu, the chef must obtain a license. In ancient times, licenses were not issued, but there was a law: if a client died, the cook committed ritual suicide.

Habitat. Subtropical and tropical waters. First of all, these are the basins of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. However, there are known cases of fugu being caught in the Black Sea.

Wart

This is the most poisonous fish in the Pacific Ocean. If you accidentally step on it, then without timely help, death is guaranteed. Despite its toxicity, wart meat is used in Japanese national cuisine. It is used to prepare sashimi, a dish made from fillets of various types of meat and fish.

The warty fish is easily confused with a coastal stone, which is why its second name is stone fish. The entire body of the fish is covered with warts and tubercles of various sizes. In addition to everything, it leads a sedentary lifestyle and stays in coastal waters. As a rule, it lies at the bottom, immersed in the ground, which makes the wart almost invisible. This is where its danger lies.

The wart is gifted with the ability to spray venom through the spines of its dorsal fin. Poisonous spines rise when the fish is irritated. The injection not only leads to acute pain, hallucinations and loss of consciousness, but also to disruption of the functioning of the nerve centers. If a large blood vessel is damaged, death is possible within 2 hours. But even if the worst consequences of poisoning can be avoided, a person can become disabled.

Habitat. Waters of the Red Sea, Indian and Pacific oceans. Most often, warts can be encountered off the coast of India and Australia. Its favorite habitats are coral reefs, piles of rocks and thick algae.

This fish is easily recognized by its variegated color and long ribbon fins. Because of its expressive fins, it is also called lionfish and lionfish. These fins should never be touched; they contain toxic needles. Their poison remains strong even after the death of the fish. Unless you want to get a lightning shot, don't approach this fish from the side.

Just one injection can cause a person to lose consciousness or go into severe shock. Fatalities have not yet been recorded, however, poisoning from zebra fish is accompanied by convulsions and impaired heart function. In addition, gangrene may develop in the puncture area. The pain from the injection lasts for several hours.

Habitat. Waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. This includes the coastal areas of Japan, China and Australia, as well as the Red Sea basin. The lionfish lives among coral atolls.

From the name it is not difficult to guess that this is a predator. The dragon prefers to dive into sandy soil, leaving only its dorsal fin and head visible. The spines of the fish's fin complement the poisonous glands. The dragon can easily be confused with the Black Sea goby.

The poisoning of a large dragon mainly occurs due to careless handling. For example, fishermen often get pricked when removing a dragon from a net, and you can also accidentally step on this fish. The dragonet's injection is not fatal, but can cause piercing pain and necrosis of the damaged area. In the worst case, paralysis or respiratory distress is possible. The poison remains dangerous for several days after the death of the fish.

Habitat. The large dragon is common in the waters of the Black and Baltic Seas. It lives in both deep and shallow waters.

This aquatic inhabitant has earned the nickname “ugly fish.” The reason for this is not the most attractive appearance. The toad fish has no scales; its entire body is covered with unsightly growths and poisonous spines. During spawning, it is capable of making sounds comparable to the noise of a subway.

The pain from being pricked by the thorn of a toad fish is reminiscent of the sensation caused by the sting of a scorpion. Then a tumor appears and the temperature rises. No fatalities as a result of the toadfish's poison have yet been recorded.

Habitat. Waters of Central and South America. Poisonous toadfish live in reefs and crevices under rocks. They have a habit of burrowing into soft bottoms.

The very name of this sea fish hints at its toxicity. It comes from the name "scorpion fish". This creature can hardly be called cute, but few can compare with it in its unusualness. Their rich color makes them invisible against the backdrop of the colorful coral atoll, which greatly increases the risk of an unexpected collision with this fish.

The body of the scorpionfish is strewn with spines, from which poisonous mucus comes out. The injection will cause severe pain, which increases over time and may result in loss of consciousness. Scorpion poison provokes pulmonary edema, lowers blood pressure and leads to numbness. These symptoms may last for several days, but deaths are extremely rare. At the same time, meat freed from thorns can be safely used for cooking.

Habitat. The waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa and Europe. The named fish can be found off the coast of the Philippines, Thailand and even in the Black Sea. Scorpionfish live in shelf zones and shallow waters of coral atolls.

Following the example of its relatives, the stingray tries to stick to the bottom. Here he buries himself in the sand or hides in piles of stones. If he is unintentionally disturbed, he is likely to attack. The spikes located on the tail are armed with poisonous glands. In this case, one should take into account the large “piercing” force of the tail strike itself. Interestingly, the aborigines of Malaysia used stingray spines as arrowheads.

Both scuba divers and ordinary swimmers can become victims of stingrays. After the injection, sharp pain and swelling appear. This is followed by diarrhea, loss of consciousness and convulsions. Lesions to the extremities can be cured after a few days, while an injection into the stomach or chest can be fatal.

Habitat. Stingrays are common in the seas of temperate and tropical latitudes. Most often they stay on a sandy or muddy bottom.

Despite the fact that sea snakes belong to the class of reptiles, they lead an aquatic lifestyle, which means they can be included in our list. These are dangerous and very unpredictable animals up to 4 meters long. They should never be touched or teased.

The venom of the sea snake is dominated by a substance that paralyzes the nervous system. When attacking, the snake strikes with two teeth. Unlike a sting from a poisonous fish, a sea snake bite will not cause severe pain. However, after a certain time, coordination is impaired, obvious weakness and convulsions appear. In the absence of qualified assistance, death can occur within 7 hours. According to statistics, 7 out of ten people survive.

Habitat. Seas of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. They usually stay near shores and river mouths.

According to scientists, the ocean is home to at least 2 million species of organisms, of which no more than 200 thousand have been described. This means that the above list does not include all the poisonous inhabitants of the ocean. Many of them are unknown even to the most scrupulous researchers. This fact once again proves that danger can lurk at every step.

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Most people associate the word “poisonous” with fauna such as snakes, spiders or scorpions. Pisces usually appears at the end of the list. It is not surprising, because due to the habitats of these creatures, a person may not come across a poisonous fish with his own eyes in his entire life (which, in general, is not bad). However, there are daredevils who are just eager to run into a dangerous representative of the marine world - in addition to their main “trump card”, poisonous fish often have a very unusual appearance, which attracts additional attention to them. Deceptive beauty is dangerous not only in its habitat; some fish can pose a threat even when they are already on the plate. In order not to dine for the last time, you must strictly adhere to the technology of preparing specific fish. So, for thrill-seekers, we present the ten most poisonous fish on the planet.

10 Zebra fish

This striped predator, which lives near the Asian and Australian coasts, has wide fins that resemble real fans - it looks really impressive. However, you should enjoy the spectacle carefully, because the zebra fish poses a threat not only to its “colleagues” in the ocean (the motley bandit can easily swallow a 20-centimeter fish). The fault is with those very luxurious fans, in which needles filled with poison are located. For an unprepared person, an encounter with a zebra fish can turn into a real disaster, and the hellish pain from the injection is only half the story. If you do not seek help in time, the poison will be activated and will lead to paralysis of the muscles and respiratory organs, and this can already result in death.

9 Shark Katran

Katrans do not fit the stereotypes about sharks. This small fish (about a meter long) will never attack a person first. Small sharks live throughout almost the entire oceanic space of the planet. But are they so harmless, and why are they on this list then? Since a person is always looking for a meeting with katrans (commercial fish), he takes a conscious risk. The mini shark has spines on its dorsal fins, with venom glands hidden in the back. Most wounds occur when removing the catch from the net - the fisherman receives a severe burn, accompanied by prolonged pain. Katran's poison is not lethal, but the wound will ache for several days.

8 Puffer fish

A flat fish the size of an average cucumber, swimming tail first off the coast of Japan. The well-known image of a goggle-eyed prickly ball is adopted by the puffer only in case of danger. In general, such camouflage, so funny to the human eye, is the only means of protecting this fish. I? Oh yes, almost all the insides of the fugu are filled with tetrodoxin (the poison belongs to the group of nerve agents; a dose of 1 mg is lethal for humans). In Japan, fugu is a recognized delicacy; the cook requires a special license to prepare this dish, and the cooking itself consists of 30 rigorous steps. However, fugu venom is responsible for the death of about 10 people annually (only registered ones).

7 Toadfish

Unlike the zebra fish, the next representative of our list is very far from traditional ideas about beauty and aesthetics. You can meet the poisonous toadfish in the coastal waters of South and Central America. The main “trump card” of this small (about 35 cm in length) creature is in the dorsal fin, where several spines with a dangerous substance are hidden. In general, there are not many prerequisites for a person to be stung by a toad fish, but if a painful contact has occurred, then there is no need to panic and abruptly draw up a will. The sensations, of course, are extremely unpleasant, but still the poison of the toad fish is not fatal to humans.

6 Wart

Stonefish or wartfish are also not particularly beautiful, but they can easily disguise themselves as sea stones (hence the name). The creature's habitat is the shallow waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Tourists from Europe have a chance to encounter warts in Egyptian resorts. The trouble with such a meeting is that, having stepped on a stone with a “surprise,” a person receives an injection into 12 “syringes” of the wart’s dorsal fin, which contain the strongest poison. Is it worth talking about pain if a person is ready to tear off his own leg? It is important that the unlucky tourist receives immediate medical attention, as the poison can cause death within 2 hours.

5 Stingray

This flat fish, very reminiscent of a frying pan, is found in all tropical waters. Stingrays spend the lion's share of their lives at the bottom, and tend to bury themselves in the sand for the purpose of camouflage, so an unwary tourist can step on the fish. A spike with poison is located in the stingray's tail (hence the name), but the creature uses its potential only for defensive purposes, and the poison does not pose a mortal danger. However, there is one known case where neither statement worked. The victim turned out to be the famous naturalist Steve Irwin, who was conducting another underwater filming. Contrary to expectations, one of the stingrays was the first to strike Irwin in the chest with his tail, causing instant death - the sting hit right in the heart.

4 Sea Dragon

This resident of the Black Sea and some parts of the Mediterranean in its normal state resembles a large sprat 30 cm long, painted with unusual patterns. Since the fish lives in shallow water and does not like to advertise its presence (it hides or camouflages itself), due to inattention a person can step on the dragon. In this case, the creature activates the spines located in the dorsal fin and gills, from which poisonous glands enter the body of the “offender.” A sharp burning pain occurs, accompanied by swelling and cramps. To avoid serious consequences, a person must provide first aid within 10 minutes.

3 Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish live in the tropical and subtropical waters of our planet - a fish with a unique appearance and the ability to molt. The creature itself is still unlikely to be beautiful, but the variegated coloring of the scorpionfish in thousands of variations is simply amazing. Just like the poisonous arsenal of a fish - there are about 20 dangerous spines along the perimeter of the body. The color of scorpion fish makes them easy to camouflage, so you can miss the fish and accidentally touch or step on it. Despite the impressive number of thorns, scorpionfish venom is not fatal, but symptoms such as painful shock, low blood pressure and numbness are provided to the victim for several days.

2 Inimicus

A small coral fish that lives in tropical waters, as well as off the coast of Japan, can pose a great danger to humans. Like most representatives of our list, the inimicus's main weapon (spines with a poisonous substance) is hidden in the dorsal fins. The prick of this creature is rightly equated to the bite of a viper; the main thing here is the timely assistance provided to a swimmer who unsuccessfully entered the sea. By the way, our old friends from Japan catch inimicus and use them as... well, naturally, a delicacy. True, the cooking technology in this case is no longer so strict.

1 Surgeon fish

Finally, the most charming representative of our list. Indeed, the surgeon fish looks extremely cute and cute. However, this flat 40-centimeter beauty always carries scalpel-like poisonous spiked blades (hence, in fact, the name). The fish is not predatory and uses its “ace in the hole” only when necessary. Such a need, by the way, can be a person’s desire to touch a cute fish. If unwanted contact occurs, the wound should be washed with hot water or treated with a hairdryer as soon as possible - under the influence of temperature, the poison is destroyed and loses its destructive properties.

When we talk about the gorgeous underwater world of one of the oceans, we imagine schools of the cutest colorful fish calmly swimming past you. But even among these harmless animals there are specimens that pose a danger not only to health, but even to human life. As you know, being informed means being armed, so here is a list of the 10 most dangerous representatives of aquatic fauna.

Dangerous representatives of aquatic fauna

1. Fugu. Even though it is considered a delicacy in Japan and is very expensive, the average tourist should be very careful when encountering it. When pricked with its needle, the fish releases poison - tetrodotoxin, which can kill a person, because an antidote for it has not yet been found. It is found both on the skin and in the internal organs, so cooking fugu yourself is strictly prohibited. The fish reaches a length of 50 cm and is found at a depth of about 100 meters.
2. Zebra fish. Its luxurious appearance will definitely attract attention, but it is worth knowing that sharp and poisonous needles are hidden in its beautiful striped fins. The main food of these marine inhabitants is crabs, shellfish, and small fish. You can meet zebra fish in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Divers warn anyone who wants to touch this unusual creature - it is very dangerous, you risk getting shock, accompanied by convulsions and cardiac dysfunction.
3. Stone fish. Its habitat is the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and the Red Sea. Its size can reach half a meter, and its favorite hunting places are rocks, reefs and dark algae. The body of the fish is covered with bumps and growths, for which it is also called a wart. On the back there is a row of fins with poisonous spines. The stone fish buries itself in the sand, leaving only its fins on top, to which algae often cling, making it invisible and therefore even more dangerous. If you accidentally step on or catch it, you can get an unpleasant prick from the thorns, the poison of which is deadly to humans. The most common cases of encountering warts were recorded in Egypt and Thailand.
4. Sea dragon. The most poisonous fish on the European continent. You can meet it in the southern part of the Baltic Sea, as well as in the Black and Japanese Seas. Dragons, small and unremarkable in appearance, like to bury themselves in the sand, leaving only their heads on top. They are quite aggressive and dangerous even for those who swim near the shore. If a person steps on a dragon or decides to take it in his hand, then as a defense, the fish will release its poisonous spines. The poison is so strong that the dragon remains dangerous even for some time after death.
5. Inimicus. Translated from Latin it means “enemy”. Like many other poisonous fish, inimicus is dangerous due to its dorsal fins, at the base of which there are poisonous glands. A prick from such a thorn is equivalent to the bite of a viper. They usually live in tropical waters, but sometimes inimicus can be found in the Sea of ​​Japan, where they are caught and prepared as a delicacy.
6. Arabian surgeon. It is equipped with two spikes on the sides and is one of the most dangerous in the world. In general, the surgeon fish is quite peaceful and swims with its fins pressed down, but in case of danger, it extends them in defense. To anger her, you need to try very hard, but if you decide to be extreme, you should know that if the poison of the surgeon fish gets in, the wound must be immediately washed with hot water, this will neutralize it.
7. Stingray stingray. It received this name due to the fact that there are one or more spines on the upper surface of the tail. Their length can reach 35 cm. The needle itself is motionless, but when turning its tail, the stingray is able to strike with it, releasing toxic poison. You can meet such animals in the Black Sea and Primorye. The stingray's blows can be so strong that they can easily pierce even leather shoes if you catch it lying somewhere near the shore.
8. Katran shark. Translated from Greek it means “prickly”. This name is not accidental; such animals have sharp spines on their fins. And despite the fact that the katran has no poisonous glands, its injection is quite dangerous for humans. The reason for this is the mucus that can cover the spines. It develops many harmful bacteria that can cause infection.
9. Scorpena. The end of the dorsal fin in such fish consists of spines, at the base of which there are glands that secrete poison. The bright coloring and growths on the body make them almost invisible among the marine flora. The Black Sea ruffe lives in the Black Sea - this is another name for scorpionfish. Their favorite places are shallow water and coastal areas, so if you decide to wander along the shore, you should carefully watch your step. Despite the fact that deaths from scorpionfish injections are rare, its poison can cause painful shock, swelling, and disruption of the heart and lungs.
10. Sea bass. A very tasty and healthy fish with poisonous fins. Its injection does not cause complex consequences, but can lead to local inflammation and long-term pain. Sea bass meat contains many vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids.

The underwater world is very rich and diverse, but it also poses some dangers, so you should be careful even when going on vacation.

The survival of living organisms in the wild largely depends on their adaptability to their habitats. But what is the ocean? For a diver, it is full of fabulous wonders: colorful fish, colorful corals. For a gourmet, the ocean is a supplier of various delicacies: seafood, shellfish and other inhabitants of the aquatic environment. But in fact, this is a rather cruel world, where everyone eats someone until they themselves become the prey of a bloodthirsty predator. Therefore, mimicry is important in the aquatic environment. Predators try to become invisible in order to get closer to their prey. And the latter wants with all her might to show the potential threat that there is no way to eat it. The bright colors of the fish seem to shout: “I am poisonous!” And often this is true. The topic of this article will be the most poisonous fish in the world. We will look at where they are found and tell you what needs to be done to alleviate the suffering of the person who has become their victim, and even save his life.

Paradoxically, there are also inhabitants of the seas who combine deadly poison and delicious meat in their bodies. One of these is the poisonous Japanese fugu fish. You can taste it only in specialized restaurants. But even in this case, it is better to make a will before dinner. You never know what can happen...

Pisces and people: a little history

Probably, humanity first encountered poisonous sea inhabitants back in the Stone Age. Because already at the dawn of civilization, on the pyramids of the pharaohs of the fifth dynasty (2700 BC), there is a hieroglyph depicting a dog fish. She also gained bad fame in China. In the "Book of Herbs" - a medical treatise written in the period 2838-2700. BC e. - a detailed description is given of how to treat gourmets who had the imprudence to feast on the meat of this fish. The biblical book “Deuteronomy” (1450 BC) also teaches what to eat and what to avoid for Jews. Aristotle and Pliny the Elder tried to describe species dangerous to health that live in the Mediterranean Sea. During the Age of Great Geographical Discovery, Europeans began to come across poisonous fish from tropical and equatorial latitudes online. James Cook described the pufferfish in 1774. During his second trip around the world, he (with sixteen other crew members) was poisoned by the meat of this fish. Although, as everyone knows, he did not die from this. Unfortunately, such a useful science as zootoxinology, which studies poisons accumulated in the bodies of living beings, as well as their possible use in medicine, appeared only in the twentieth century.

A little more theory

There are also plenty of poisonous creatures on land. Plants, mushrooms, insects, amphibians and reptiles... However, land cannot be compared with the ocean. Many inhabitants of the seas are poisonous in one way or another: fish, jellyfish, snakes, corals. What makes them like this? Many predators, being less mobile than their prey, lie in wait for it in a shelter. Their poison is aimed at quickly immobilizing the victim and paralyzing it. These predators have dangerous teeth and spines. Some stun their lunch with electric shocks. These are stingrays. In the course of species evolution, victims acquire means of “individual chemical defense.” Many fish, in addition to their bright, memorable colors, have poisonous spines. A predator, having grabbed such prey, will not only inject itself, but also be poisoned. There are also poisonous fish that have very dangerous mucus on their bodies. Touching it leads to poisoning. In the classification, all these fish are called actively poisonous. “Don’t touch me, otherwise you will regret it!” - says their bristling appearance alone. But those who love to feast on seafood should be wary of completely different fish. They are called passively poisonous. Evolution has led to the protection of populations, but not of individuals. It looks like an ordinary fish. But eat it and you'll get poisoned. The surviving predator will think ten times before tasting one of her relatives.

What do fish lovers need to know?

Unless you're diving into choppy seas to come face-to-face with coral reef creatures, and even if you're not running barefoot along the water's edge, don't think you're completely safe from venomous creatures. You can also get poisoned by them in a restaurant. In this sense, a distinction is made between primary and secondary poisonous fish. The first ones produce the deadly secret themselves. It can accumulate in thorns, teeth, and scales. Sometimes the poison is a product of metabolism. In this case, fish meat or its caviar and milt should not be eaten. Moray eels, for example, have poisonous blood. Other inhabitants of the seas have all meat. But secondary poisonous fish are no less dangerous. They accumulate harmful substances in their bodies from the reservoir - their habitat. For example, blue-green algae that fish eat release cyanide. Thus, you can be poisoned by an ordinary minnow if it is caught from such a pond. The leaching of fertilizers from the soil, which flow into water bodies with rain, also makes their inhabitants secondary poisonous. Nitrates only work well on plants, not on people. Therefore, it is important to know where the catch comes from before trying it.

Did you know that the most dangerous inhabitant of the ocean is... the jellyfish. This species, which lives in tropical waters off the coast of Australia, is called the “transparent killer”. Its tentacles stretch after the dome for thirty meters. Its touch paralyzes the human heart muscle, causing sudden death in 100% of cases. Also off the coast of the Green Continent lives a small blue-ringed octopus weighing only 70 grams. However, this little guy is capable of killing ten people with his poison in two seconds. Fish keep up with jellyfish, mollusks and snakes. Every year more than 50 thousand people become their victims - incomparably more than from sharks. The most poisonous fish in the world is Synanceia verrucosa, or wart, from the order Scorpionidae. On its dorsal fin there is a spike, the prick of which causes such severe pain that a person loses consciousness. Poison injected into the blood leads to vascular collapse and cardiac arrest. At the same time, it is difficult for everyone to see the danger even close up. For the purpose of camouflage, this small fish takes on the shape and color of its environment. It is very difficult to distinguish it from a piece of coral or cobblestone. That’s why it is also called “stone fish.” The wart's closest relatives, scorpionfish (or), also have the properties of a chameleon. In addition, they tend to burrow into sand or silt during low tide. Therefore, to step on their extremely poisonous thorn, you do not need to dive into the dangerous world of coral reefs.

Where are the most poisonous fish in the world found?

Most predators that do not chase prey, but lie in wait for it, live in tropical waters off the coast of Southeast Asia, East Africa, Australia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. There are plenty of dangerous creatures in the Pacific Ocean too. Off the coast of Japan there is a fugu, or pufferfish. But the most dangerous place on Earth in terms of the density of poisonous inhabitants per cubic liter of water is Australia. And that's not counting sharks, electric rays, jellyfish and clams! There are also 51 species of water snakes, of which Hydrophis bsecheris, an inhabitant, is listed in the Guinness Book for its toxicity. The local sea fish are considered no less dangerous: poisonous warts, scorpionfish, lionfish, inimicus. And you need to know this when going on vacation to the Green Continent. Seven of the top ten most dangerous species live off the coast of Australia. But with global warming, many inhabitants of tropical latitudes began to move further and further from the equator. They are already found off the coast of Chile, Japan, and Southern China. But the Red, Mediterranean and even the Black Seas also have their share of dangerous creatures. In total, scientists have described two hundred and twenty species of poisonous fish. In a word, they simply cannot be counted.

What to do in case of poisoning?

Most people become victims of actively poisonous fish. And not because they are chasing inexperienced swimmers. These fish, if they are predators, inject toxins into smaller prey. And more often, poisonous spines serve as a means of personal protection against large and toothy fish. What do swimmers need to remember? Do not step on or feel the coral with your hands. For a vacation in the tropics, it is better to purchase special shoes for swimming (since, in addition to fish, there is also the danger of stepping on a sea urchin - also poisonous, by the way). If possible, you should avoid and not grab with your hands the inhabitants of the depths swimming close to you - you don’t know which fish are poisonous and which are not. If you do feel a prick, immediately get out onto land or call for help. Toxins that affect the nervous system act with lightning speed, and a person can die if timely help is not provided.

First of all, you need to take measures to eliminate the poison. If it is a hand, the victim himself can suck the poisoned blood from the wound by spitting it out. In the leg, toxins can be squeezed out by pressing on both sides around the affected area. Next, the victim needs to relieve the pain, since it is often unbearable and can cause fainting or shock. Necrosis often occurs at the site of the lesion, and there is a risk of re-infection and even gangrene. Therefore, the wound should be treated with a disinfectant.

Silent killers

If the body of a fish is covered with thorns, bristling with thorns, if its mouth is full of sharp teeth, then even a fool understands that these creatures are very dangerous. And the very name of poisonous fish speaks for itself: pufferfish, sea scorpion, dragonet, stingray, prickly shark, terrible tubercle, inimicus, which in Latin means “enemy”... But the local population in the places where these are found dangerous creatures, still eats them. Having lost their terrifying thorns and being cleared of poisonous mucus, they give very tender and tasty meat. Thus, Australian residents eat and praise scorpionfish, and Black Sea fishermen catch katrana sharks for restaurants. But passively poisonous fish, photos of which you need to see in order to remember, are more insidious. Nothing in their appearance resembles those terrible monsters with which lifeguards at Red Sea resorts scare beachgoers. However, in such a harmless-looking fish as the rocktooth, there lurks a poison that is much more effective and faster than potassium cyanide. Evolution does not care about preserving the life of one individual, but about the survival of the species. In addition, this one fish can swell out of fear and turn into a ball. Such prey may get stuck in the throat. Having tasted one or two...ten fish, all the predators of the Pacific Ocean now know that they should not swallow a small rocktooth.

Is it possible to get poisoned by “our” fish?

There are several types of poisonous seas. These are, first of all, the spiny katran shark, the stargazer, the lyre mouse, and the little dragon. Monkfish and cat ray enter Azov. The seas washing the Far Eastern coast of Russia are inhabited by high-ray perch, stargazer, katran and pufferfish, called pufferfish in Japan. In the Baltic, dangerous fish include sculpin and stingrays. As we can see, among this cohort only fugu is a passively poisonous species. All the rest, after removing the thorns, can be eaten without any fear. But even here all sorts of troubles happen. There are so-called seasonally poisonous fish in the Black Sea, and in fresh water bodies too. These are some types of bream, carp, perch, as well as tench, barb, barbel, kutum and others. During spawning, you can be poisoned by the caviar and milt of these fish. A serious danger comes from polluted water bodies and rapid blooms of blue-green algae. In this case, even the most edible fish becomes poisonous because it accumulates toxins from the environment. In medicine, several outbreaks of “epidemics” have been described among the lakes Yuksovskoye (Leningrad region), Ukshozero (Karelia) and Sartlan (Novosibirsk region).

Who is fugu?

Undoubtedly, the most poisonous fish that lives is the pufferfish. The sailors of the Kuril Islands call it a rocktooth, and the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun call it a fugu. This fish with a white belly and gray-brown back has no scales, but at the moment of danger it raises its skin plates and swells up like a ball. However, this is not the danger of fugu. The poison contained in its meat, and especially in the liver, skin, and genitals, is so toxic that it is twenty-five times greater than curare and 275 times greater than potassium cyanide. The active substance - tetrodotoxin - blocks the processes of nerve cells. Symptoms of severe poisoning appear in the first minutes. Death occurs within the first day. First, the person feels a slight tingling sensation in the lips and tongue. Then a headache and pain in the stomach and limbs begins. Coordination of movements is lost, vomiting begins (in this case, the patient still has a chance to survive). Soon breathing becomes difficult, blood pressure drops and body temperature drops. Blue discoloration of the mucous membranes and skin is observed. The patient falls into a coma and stops breathing. Unfortunately, an antidote against the poison of this fish has not yet been discovered. But despite these chilling details, fugu meat is still considered a delicacy in Japan. Scientists have found that these marine fish are poisonous only in adulthood. “Safe fugu” have been grown, but they are not popular among gourmets.

Samurai Nation

As we remember, the first European to taste a dish of poisonous puffer fish was James Cook. But the Japanese have been using it since ancient times. Fugu has firmly entered the culture and art of the Land of the Rising Sun. There is even a monument to this fish in one of the parks in Tokyo. What makes millions of Japanese literally entrust their lives to a chef? After all, statistics show that every year several dozen people die from fugu poison and a much larger number of victims are hospitalized. Suicidal tendencies, balancing on the brink of life and death - all this is in abundance in Japanese culture. The fashion for fugu was started by samurai - stern knights, cold-blooded, ready to commit hara-kiri in order to preserve their good name. For a long time, the authorities prohibited the fishing of this fish. But in vain. It was sold on black markets. Now, in order to obtain a license to prepare fugu dishes, a chef must take special courses and pass an exam. Before the commission, he must cut up the carcass, prepare three dishes from it and... taste a piece from each. And only with a happy outcome, the poisonous fugu fish, photos of dishes with it adorn the restaurant menu.

Japanese version of Russian roulette

Why don’t people want to eat fugu meat, which initially does not contain tetrodotoxin? Gourmets who have tried such a safe fish call its taste ordinary and even banal. Popular fish in Japan are poisonous, even with all the ensuing sad consequences. But do the Japanese come to the restaurant just to tickle their nerves? Dishes with possible, and this word must be emphasized, poison cost from one hundred to five hundred dollars. This is how gourmets describe the taste of dangerous fugu: “It is akin to Japanese art - as refined, refined, smooth as natural silk.” Europeans claim that the fish is similar to chicken and has a jelly-like consistency. In fugu dishes, what is important is not the complete absence of poison, but its presence in the most minimal doses. Then the client feels something similar to the effect of a drug. After all, tetrodotoxin is one hundred and sixty thousand times more active than cocaine! Surgeons have adopted this, using this substance during operations to remove tumors. Of course, everything depends on the dose - both in medicine and in the kitchen. The chef who passes the exam takes into account the client’s weight, age, health status and even nationality. A restaurant worker vigilantly observes those eating in order to notice the first alarming symptoms and take action. The poisonous Japanese fish is served in several variations. The most favorite dish is fugusashi. The chef creates entire pictures from the thinnest slices of raw fish. This dish is served with sauces. Poisonous fish soup - fuguzosun - is also common. Sometimes pufferfish is boiled and served with accompanying ingredients.

Not all fish are healthy. There is one from which it is better to stay away, and if you allow yourself to eat a piece, then it should be small and only occasionally

Volumes have been written about the benefits of fish. It is widely believed that fish and seafood are undeniably healthy. In fact, this is not entirely true: not all fish are healthy. There is one from which it is better to stay away, and if you allow yourself to eat a piece, then it is small and only occasionally.

1. Imported catfish, pangasius, Taiwanese catfish, tilapia. The vast majority of imported farmed fish (90%) comes from Vietnam, where the use of antibiotics, which are banned in many countries, is widely practiced in its cultivation. Catfish living in the wild and caught in our country can be considered safe.

2. Imported (Atlantic) cod. Its consumption is not so much a challenge to health as an act of vandalism, since due to uncontrolled fishing and other unfavorable conditions, Atlantic cod is almost on the verge of extinction and being included in the Red Book. But if you can’t imagine life without cod, then you can safely enjoy the Pacific species, of which there are still many.

3. Eel. Eel is a delicious fish that is widely used in making sushi. And it was included in the list of harmful fish due to the fact that it is extremely contaminated with mercury and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), which not only simply kill the liver, but also accumulate in the body. Eel fish farms tend to be highly contaminated with waste and suffer from overproduction and overcrowding. A safe alternative to eel is Atlantic or Pacific squid.

4. Shrimp. They top the list of unhealthy fish due to their high levels of cholesterol and pollutants, and are also difficult to avoid since over 90% of shrimp are imported. Imported farmed shrimp are imported along with a “charming” set of pollutants: these are antibiotics, chemicals that get into the water after cleaning cages, and even garbage such as mouse and rat hairs, droppings, insect remains, etc. And this is not to mention various a type of bacteria such as E. coli, which is often found in shrimp.

5. Atlantic flounder. This group of fish includes turbot, salt, diamond, glossa, galkan, limanda, sole and halibut, caught in the Atlantic. They have been blacklisted due to high levels of pollution, as well as overfishing that dates back to the 1800s. Ecologists estimate that the Atlantic flounder population is only 1% of what is acceptable for long-term fishing. A safe alternative is Pacific halibut.

7. Shark. Eating shark meat is undesirable for a number of reasons. Firstly, the meat of these predators contains too much mercury. Secondly, fishing for this fish disrupts the ocean ecosystem. A decrease in the number of sharks leads to the “clogging” of the oceans with species that sharks prey on: jellyfish and stingrays. And stingrays, in turn, destroy the population of small commercial fish. Meanwhile, mackerel or halibut can serve as an excellent replacement for shark.

8. Atlantic tuna. Recent analyzes show that Atlantic tuna contains record levels of mercury compared to other fish species and even other types of tuna. In addition, Atlantic tuna is also in danger of extinction. If you are a tuna lover, then buy Pacific species and choose young, medium-sized specimens that have not accumulated a lot of mercury.

The waters of our planet have become so polluted that it is quite difficult to determine which fish are safe and which are not. The healthfulness of fish depends on its habitat, whether natural or farmed, the quality of the food, the level of contaminants such as mercury, and many other factors. Lists of “good” fish may change from year to year for a number of environmental and production reasons, but it is better to completely avoid the above-mentioned types of fish and seafood. Moreover, only a small amount of fish and seafood is inspected before it reaches the counter. It is especially not recommended for pregnant women and children to consume such fish.

P.S. And remember, just by changing your consumption, we are changing the world together! © econet